Child safety seat

ABSTRACT

A child safety seat for use in combination with a vehicular seat includes a retractable harnessing apparatus for securing the child safety seat to the vehicular seat. The retractable harnessing apparatus has a safety strap retractably extending out from the strap housing, and is integrally mounted within the child safety seat. The retractable harnessing apparatus further includes a locking mechanism for responsively locking the safety strap in a fixed degree of extension from the housing upon incursion of a sudden force urging the safety strap out from the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/762,419, filed on Jan. 22, 2004, and entitled ROTATABLE CHILD SAFETYSEAT, which itself claims priority from U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 60/442,163, filed on Jan. 22, 2003 and entitled CHILD SAFETYSEAT, the contents of such applications are incorporated herein in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to child safety seats generally, and moreparticularly to a child safety seat which incorporates a retractabletie-down safety strap system in the seat structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infant and child vehicular safety seats have become widely availablesince legislation was passed in the United States making use of suchsafety seats mandatory in the automotive transportation of infants andsmall children. The tremendous demand for vehicular safety seats hasresulted in continual refinements and improvements to initial designs.One such improvement is the adoption of standardized seat sizing forenhanced modularity and portability of such seats for use inapplications outside the automobile. For example, conventional infantvehicular safety seats typically are configured so as to be removablymountable to a base member that is secured in place in the respectivevehicle via seat belts or other latch means, as well as to strollers andthe like.

As a result, many presently-utilized vehicular safety seats incorporatea distinct base unit that is intended to remain securely positioned inthe vehicle while the seat element may be selectively secured thereto.The seat element itself, therefore, may be utilized as a child carryingapparatus, and used alone or in combination with mating base structuressuch as a vehicular base unit, a stroller, a shopping cart, or the like.Such a feature adds significant utility to child safety seats.

Another feature that has been addressed in certain vehicular safety seatdesigns is that of a pivotable characteristic to the seat. In such amanner, the safety seat may be rotated while remaining in a securedrelationship within the vehicle. The user may therefore load and unloadthe child from the safety seat in a more convenient fashion.

The rotatable vehicular safety seats proposed to date, however, compriserelatively complex assemblies that are expensive to manufacture.Typically, such assemblies require uniquely manufactured components tooperate as designed. Moreover, such components fail to providecompatibility to conventional systems.

It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide avehicular child safety seat mounting apparatus that enables rotationalmounting of a conventional child safety seat thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotatablechild safety seat mounting apparatus that enables a conventional childsafety seat to rotate along a plane parallel with its base while theseat is securely connected to the vehicle seats.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rotatablevehicular child safety seat mounting apparatus that is compatible withconventional child safety seats.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide arotatable vehicular child safety seat mounting apparatus that isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a child safetyseat having a retractable harnessing means incorporated therewith forsecuring the child safety seat to a corresponding vehicular seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By means of the present invention, a vehicular child safety seat isprovided which incorporates a retractable harnessing apparatus foroperably securing the child safety seat to the corresponding vehicularseat. The retractable harnessing apparatus allows the user to adjustablyposition the child safety seat in a secured orientation with respect tothe vehicular seat without the need to manually adjust respective safetystrap lengths. As such, the retractable/extendable nature of theharnessing apparatus of the present invention facilitates ease ofsecurement of the safety strap to securing receptacles attached to thevehicle, without compromising the effectiveness of the safety strap inthe event of an automobile accident.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the child safetyseat of the present invention includes a retractable harnessingapparatus for securing the child safety seat to a vehicular seat, withthe retractable harnessing apparatus having a safety strap that isretractably extended out from a strap housing. The retractableharnessing apparatus is preferably integrally mounted within the childsafety seat, and includes a locking mechanism for responsively lockingthe safety strap in a fixed degree of extension from the housing upon asudden force urging the safety strap out from the housing.

In certain embodiments, the child safety seat of the present inventionis specifically configured to be removably matingly engageable with arotatable mounting apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mounting apparatus of the presentinvention having a vehicular child safety seat operably engagedtherewith.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1, withthe child safety seat being rotated from a locked position while engagedwith the mounting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isolation top perspective view of a base structure of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the base structure illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isolation top perspective view of an interface structure ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the interface structure illustrated in FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the combination of an interfacestructure and a base structure of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of a child safety seat of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a partial cut-away perspective view of a child safety seat ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is an isolation view of a safety strap guide component of achild safety seat of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The objects and advantages enumerated above together with other objects,features, and advances represented by the present invention will now bepresented in terms of detailed embodiments described with reference tothe attached drawing figures which are intended to be representative ofvarious possible configurations of the invention. Other embodiments andaspects of the invention are recognized as being within the grasp ofthose having ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first toFIG. 1, a child safety seat apparatus 10 is shown including a seat 12, abase portion 14, and an interface portion 16. Seat 12 is preferablyremovably secured to interface portion 16, while interface portion 16 isrotatably and slidably secured to base portion 14. Seat 12 may beconfigured with a conventional undersurface arrangement that is capableof being removably mounted to interface portion 16.

Interface portion 16 is preferably configured to be adaptable toconventional infant or child safety seat undersurface arrangements. Inother embodiments, seat 12 may be specially designed for particular usewith interface portion 16 of the present invention. In such embodiments,the bottom surface of seat 12 is preferably configured to removablyengage with interface portion 16. The present invention furthercontemplates the utilization of safety harnessing belts incorporatedinto the seat, and which are anchored to the vehicular seat for furthersecuring apparatus 10 in place. The harnessing apparatus preferablyincludes means for automatically locking the safety harnessing beltsupon the incursion of a predetermined degree of separation force betweenthe child safety seat and the vehicular seat.

In a particular embodiment of such a harnessing apparatus, asillustrated in FIG. 9, seat 12 of the present invention preferablyincludes a retractable harnessing apparatus 220 operably coupledthereto. In particular, harnessing apparatus 220 includes a straphousing 222 that is preferably integrally mounted within theperimetorial confines of seat 12, and more preferably within seatback13. Housing 222 of harnessing apparatus 220 preferably encloses awinding of safety strap material 224, with such a safety strap 224extensably and retractably coupled to a spool within housing 222. As aresult, safety strap 224 retractably extends out from housing 222 in apreferred fashion so as to be in a disposition convenient for securementwith latching features of a corresponding vehicular seat.

In the partial cut-away view of FIG. 10, seatback 13 of child safetyseat 12 preferably includes lower and upper apertures 232, 234 extendingtherethrough and being sized and configured to allow the passage ofsafety strap 224 therethrough. Lower and upper apertures 232, 234 inseatback 13 are preferably sufficiently spaced apart so that safetystrap 224 bears against a substantial length of front surface 11 ofseatback 13 while in operable threaded disposition through lower andupper apertures 232, 234. As a consequence, safety strap 224 acts as arestraint to movement of seat 12 when safety strap 224 is operablysecured to a tie-down element of the vehicle.

To effect affixation of safety strap to the corresponding vehicularseat, harnessing apparatus 220 preferably includes an attachment device226 such as a hook, or the like, secured to a distal end 225 of safetystrap 224. Attachment device 226 operably couples to an anchoringutility either in the vehicular seat or otherwise attached to thevehicular frame. In recent model vehicles, the federal government hasmandated the installation of “LATCH” anchoring elements which arespecifically designed to operably attach to devices such as attachmentdevice 226 of the present invention for operably anchoring child safetyseats to a corresponding vehicular seat.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, safety strap 224 isoperably threaded through both lower and upper apertures 232, 234 so asto facilitate attachment to a LATCH-type anchoring element, particularlyat or near an upper portion of the seat, when child safety seat 12 is ina forward-facing orientation. The mounting apparatus of the presentinvention contemplates the utilization of child safety seat 12 in eithera rearwardly or forwardly facing orientation during use.

Housing 222 of harnessing apparatus 220 preferably includes a lockingmechanism integrated therewith for responsively locking safety strap 224in a fixed degree of extension from housing 222 upon incursion of asudden force urging safety strap 224 out from housing 222. For example,safety strap 224 is preferably mounted in housing 222 so as to berelatively freely extensible and retractable therefrom, even whileattachment device 226 is operably secured to an anchoring element in thecorresponding vehicle. Such a relatively free extensibility andretractability characteristic of safety strap 224 enables the user tooperable secure attachment device 226 to a corresponding LATCH-typeelement without time-consuming manual adjustment to a fixed length ofsafety strap 224. Moreover, the relatively free extensibility andretractability characteristic of safety strap 224 enables seat 12 to beoperably secured to a rotatable mounting apparatus that provides for theoperable rotation of seat 12 while secured to the correspondingvehicular seat. Thus, safety seat 12 may be rotated about a planedefined by seat portion 15 thereof without having to disengage safetystrap 224 from respective anchoring elements in the correspondingvehicular seat.

In addition to the above, the locking mechanism provided in housing 222of harnessing apparatus 220 acts as a lockable ratchet system forlocking safety strap 224 in place when a sudden force is imparted uponsafety strap 224 to pull such strap 224 out from housing 222, such aswould be the case if seat 12 of the present invention were involved inan accident urging seat 12 forward and away from the correspondingvehicular seat.

Retractable safety strap assemblies like those utilized in apparatus 10of the present invention are available from Beam's Industries ofOklahoma City, Okla.

A further aspect and embodiment of the present invention is illustratedin isolation view in FIG. 11, wherein safety strap guide 252 is operablymountable to front surface 11 of seatback 13. Safety strap guide 252includes an at least partially enclosed channel 254 extending frombottom end 256 to a position adjacent top end 258, which channel 254 issized and configured to receive safety strap 224 therethrough.Accordingly, safety strap guide 252 retains safety strap 224 in apredefined orientation with respect to front surface 11 of seatback 13.

In addition, safety strap guide 252 preferably further includes an openslot 260 that is in operable alignment with upper aperture 234 ofseatback 13 such that safety strap 224 extends through slot 260 andsubsequently through upper aperture 234 toward a corresponding LATCHanchoring element. Slot 260 is formed with first and second curvedregions 262, 264 to accommodate safety strap 224 when safety seat 12 isrotated about its base unit.

With reference back to FIG. 2, seat 12, in operable combination withinterface portion 16, may be operably rotated on a plane parallel tolower surface 17 of interface portion 16. Such rotation enables the userto load and unload the child from seat 12 in a more convenient manner,and without having to detach seat 12 from its mounting base, which, inthe present invention, is the combination of interface portion 16 andbase portion 14.

In preferred embodiments, seat 12 preferably includes a seat beltapparatus that is configured for operable engagement with appropriatelyconfigured receptacles in interface portion 16. Such a seat beltapparatus is commonly incorporated into conventional child and infantsafety seats.

An isolation perspective view of base portion 14 is illustrated in FIG.3. Base portion 14 is generally defined by an upper surface 20, a frontend 22, a rear end 24, and opposing sides 26, 28. Upper surface 20 ofbase portion 14 preferably includes an elongated aperture 34, whichaperture 34 has a longitudinal axis “A” extending substantially parallelto sides 26, 28, and a lateral axis “B” extending substantially parallelto front and rear ends 22, 24, respectively. Preferably, the dimensionof longitudinal axis “A” is greater than lateral axis “B”.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, upper surface 20 of base portion 14preferably includes a first guide means 38 disposed thereon andpreferably extending upwardly therefrom. Though first guide means 38 maybe formed in a variety of configurations, a particular examplecontemplated by the present invention is that of a protrusion extendingsubstantially perpendicularly upwardly from upper surface 20 of baseportion 14. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 3, first guide means38 and elongated aperture 34 are formed along a central longitudinalaxis of base portion 14. However, the present invention contemplates therelative positioning of aperture 34 and first guide means 38 in any of avariety of locations in base portion 14.

A bottom view of base portion 14 is illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows areleasable lock mechanism 42 that is engageable in aperture 34. In aparticular embodiment of the present invention, releasable lockmechanism 42 includes first and second lock arms 44, 48 that arepivotably mounted about respective pivot points 50, 52, which pivotpoints 50, 52 provide for pivoting motion of first and second lock arms44, 48 along a plane substantially parallel to lower surface 21 of baseportion 14. Preferably, pivot points 50, 52 comprises threaded rods,bushings, or the like that define respective axes of rotation for firstand second lock arms 44, 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, first and second lock arms 44, 48 each includedistal ends 54, 56 that are operably urged into contact with one anotherby biasing means 60, which are configured to deliver bias force to therespective first and second lock arms 44, 48 via respective couplingbodies 62, 64 of manual release unit 68. At the behest of biasing means60, respective coupling bodies 62, 64 are operably promoted to directrespective first and second lock arms 44, 48 in a direction toward rearend 24 of base portion 14. Since first and second lock arms 44, 48 areanchored to base portion 14 at respective pivot points 50, 52, biasingmotion transmitted to first and second lock arms 44, 48 via couplingbodies 62, 64 results in a pivoting of respective lock arms 44, 48 aboutpivot points 50, 52. Accordingly, respective distal ends 54, 56 of firstand second lock arms 44, 48 are naturally urged by biasing means 60toward one another and ultimately into contact with one another. Toassist in facilitating substantially planar pivoting about respectivepivot points 50, 52 by first and second lock arms 44, 48, respectiveposition retainers 72, 74 may be provided in the present invention. Suchposition retainers 72, 74 each include bushings, washers, or the likethat are specifically positioned and secured in place by a vertical postsuch as a threaded screw or the like to thereby retain respective firstand second lock arms 44, 48 in a desired level orientation. Toaccommodate position retainers 72, 74, first and second lock arms 44, 48preferably include positional slots 76, 78 respectively disposedtherein. As a result, first and second lock arms 44, 48 are maintainedin a desired positional relationship with position retainers 72, 74through respective positional slots 76, 78.

In order to effectuate pivotal motion of first and second lock arms 44,48, biasing means 60 must be manually compressed so as to promote motionof coupling bodies 62, 64 in a direction toward front end 22 of baseportion 14. Manual release unit 68 includes an actuator 69 that iscoupled to a platform portion 70 thereof through a slot in front end 22of base portion 14. Platform portion 70 is preferably configured toapply compressive forces to biasing means 60 upon actuation of actuator69. In a particular embodiment, actuator 69 is a handle that may bepulled outwardly from base portion 14 by a user, which pulling actioncorrespondingly moves platform portion 70 in a direction toward frontend 22 of base portion 14, thereby compressing biasing means 60 so as tocause pivoting motion to first and second lock arms 44, 48. Suchpivoting of first and second lock arms 44, 48 moves respective distalends 54, 56 thereof away from one another, thereby releasing the lockestablished when distal end 54, 56 of first and second lock arms 44, 48are in contact with one another.

The present invention contemplates a number of configurational variantsto releasable lock apparatus 42, so long as such an apparatus provides asimilar functionality to that described above. For example, releasablelock apparatus 42 may include only a single pivoting lock arm thatextends across lateral axis “B” of aperture 34 when in a fully biasedorientation.

A perspective top view of interface portion 16 is illustrated in FIG. 5.Upper surface 112 of interface portion 16 is preferably specificallyconfigured to matingly engage with conventional vehicular child safetyseats in either a forward or rearwardly-facing orientation. For example,intermediate ridge 114 disposed on upper surface 112 is configured tooperably receive a clamping portion provided on the bottom sides ofconventional vehicular child safety seats. Thus, interface portion 16acts as a universal receiving platform upon which conventional childsafety seats may be operably secured.

A bottom view of interface portion 16 is shown in FIG. 6 having a matingprotrusion 122 extending from lower surface 114 of interface portion 16.Mating protrusion 122 is preferably sized and configured to operablyengage with aperture 34 by extending therein when interface portion 16is aligned in superimposed and adjacent relationship with base portion14. As so aligned, mating protrusion 122 is configured for slidable androtatable engagement with aperture 34. Accordingly, the diameter ofmating protrusion 122 is similar to, but slightly smaller than, lateralaxis “B” of aperture 34. Thus, mating protrusion 122 only has freedom tomove along longitudinal axis “A”, as well as the freedom to rotatewithin aperture 34 when not locked in place by locking mechanism 42.

Lower surface 114 of interface portion 16 further includes a secondguide utility in the form of channel 128 that is configured to matinglyengage with first guide means 38 on upper surface 20 of base portion 14.When first guide means 38 is in an engaged relationship within channel128, rotation of interface portion 16 with respect to base portion 14causes first guide means 38 to travel within channel 128. Preferably,rotational motion between interface portion 16 and base portion 14,while in an engaged relationship, causes interface portion 16 toprogressively displace toward front end 22 of base portion 14. Suchdisplacement is a direct consequence of the two-dimensional parabolicshape of channel 128.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a top view and a bottom view, respectively, ofinterface portion 16 in engaged relationship with base portion 14. Withreference to FIGS. 6-8, the operational relationship between interfaceportion 16 and base portion 14 will now be described. A detachableflanged or cap member 130 is preferably removably securable to distalend 123 of mating protrusion 122, with flanged member 130 having adiameter that is larger than lateral axis “B” of aperture 34. In such amanner, flanged member 130 may selectively be secured to matingprotrusion 122 from the underside of base portion 14 such that flangedmember 130 retains interface portion 16 in juxtaposition with baseportion 14 by operably contacting lower surface 21 of base portion 14.Even with flanged member 130 being secured to mating protrusion 122,interface portion 16 remains rotatably and slidably coupled to baseportion 14. So long as flanged member 130 is selectively secured todistal end 123 of mating protrusion 122, interface portion 16 is held inadjacent engagement with base portion 14.

With flanged member 130 secured to mating protrusion 122, interfaceportion 16 is positioned with respect to base portion 14 as is shown inFIGS. 7-8. With releasable lock mechanism 42 being in a fully biasedorientation, or locked position, respective distal ends 54, 56 of lockarms 44, 48 bear against mating protrusion 122 and retainably securemating protrusion 122 between lock arms 44, 48 and rear end 35 ofaperture 34. This relative orientation between interface portion 16 andbase portion 14 is a “locked” position. Releasable lock mechanism 42acts to retain the locked position of interface portion 16 on baseportion 14 through the configuration of first and second lock arms 44,48, in that force imparted on distal ends 54, 56 thereof by matingprotrusion 122 acts to increase the closing pressure asserted at distalends 54, 56 of first and second lock arms 44, 48. Specifically,respective distal ends 54, 56 are tapered so that force directed in adirection toward front end 22 of base portion 14 enhances a rotationalforce generated by biasing means 60 in a locking or closing direction.Accordingly, mating protrusion 122 is maintained in a locked position solong as releasable locking mechanism 42 is not released through theactuation of handle 69.

In addition to the above, the relationship between first guide means 38and channel 128 is such that when interface portion 16 is in the lockedposition, first guide means 38 is disposed at a front end 131 of radialportion 132 of channel 128. Accordingly, the lateral walls of channel128 at end 131 enclose first guide means 38 on three sides, therebypreventing rotational movement of interface portion 16 with respect tobase portion 14. The locked position, therefore, retains interfaceportion 16 in a stationary and fixed relationship with base portion 14.

When handle 69 is actuated to thereby retract biasing means 60 andcorrespondingly to pivot first and second lock arms 44, 48 out fromaperture 34, mating protrusion 122 becomes free to slidably move withinaperture 34 toward front end 22 of base portion 14. To enable therotational capability of the present invention, interface portion 16 isslid forward with respect to base portion 14, such that matingprotrusion 122 slidably moves within aperture 34 toward front end 36 ofaperture 34. In addition, first guide means 38 correspondingly movesalong radial portion 132 of channel 128 toward apex 134. Once firstguide means 38 is moved to a position corresponding to apex 134 ofchannel 128, rotation of interface portion 16 with respect to baseportion 14 may be accomplished, as first guide means 38 selectivelyslidably moves toward one of distal ends 136, 138 of channel 128. Sincethe above described movement is accomplished between interface portion16 and base portion 14 while engaged through flanged member 130, thechild safety seat need not be removed from interface portion 16 duringthe sliding and rotating procedures. Accordingly, the child istransported in the safety seat while interface portion 16 is in a lockedposition with respect to base portion 14, with such a locked positionbeing selectively deactivated through actuation of handle 69 such thatinterface portion 16, with the child safety seat securely attachedthereto, may be rotated into a position convenient for egress andingress to the seat.

As is illustrated in FIG. 6, channel 128 is preferably configured in asubstantially parabolic shape such that rotation of interface portion 16with respect to base portion 14 causes the corner of interface portion16 nearest to the automobile seat during such rotation tocorrespondingly displace forwardly so as to prevent interference betweenthe attached child safety seat and the vehicle seat.

A variety of configurations for channel 128 are contemplated by thepresent invention, with the parabolic shape illustrated in FIG. 6 beinga preferred example for desirably guiding interface portion 16 alongwith the attached child safety seat during rotation of the child seatwith respect to base portion 14. As noted above, the lock/unlock andsliding and rotational procedures are particularly useful when the childsafety seat is maintained in a secured engaged relationship withinterface portion 16. However, such motions and permutations may beperformed without the child safety seat being engaged with interfaceportion 16, as desired.

The above-describe elements of the present invention are preferablymanufactured from lightweight and durable materials that are accepted bygovernmental safety standards for infant and child vehicular safety seatmounting devices. In some embodiments of the invention, interfaceportion 16 and base portion 14 are fabricated from polymeric materialssuch as ABS or high-density polypropylene.

An additional feature of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.7, 7A and 8, which show safety retention features 152 extending upwardlyfrom upper surface 20 of base portion 14. Safety retention features 152are preferably configured and spaced from upper surface 20 of baseportion 14 so as to operably grasp interface portion 16. In such amanner, safety retention features 152 act to further operably retaininterface portion 16 in a secure adjacent relationship with base portion14. In particular, safety retention features 152 preferably assist inclamping the rear end of interface portion 16 down to base portion 14,and prevent undesired lifting or disengagement of interface portion 16from base portion 14 in the event of a substantial lifting force uponinterface portion 16, such as in the event of a vehicular accidentwherein the weight of the child safety seat carries sufficient momentumso as to act to lift interface portion 16 from base portion 14. Sincebase portion 14 is secureably held in place to the vehicle seats viaseat belt anchors and the like, safety retention features 152 preferablyoperably retain interface portion 16 in a desired engaged relationshipwith base portion 14, even in the event of a relatively largedisengaging force applied. In preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, safety retention features 152 are integrally formed with baseportion 14. Preferably, safety retention features 152 are co-molded withbase portion 14.

A still further aspect of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.5 and 7, which show anchoring means 172 extending upwardly frominterface portion 16, with such anchoring means 172 each including atleast one tie aperture 174 disposed therethrough and in a portionthereof above upper surface 112 of interface portion 16. Such anchoringmeans 172 are preferably mounted at lower surface 114 of interfaceportion 16, and are utilized to receive one or more tie straps (notshown) for operably anchoring items such as the child safety seat tointerface portion 16. In some embodiments of the present invention,anchoring means 172 are integrally formed with interface portion 16 andextend upwardly from upper surface 112 thereof. Anchoring means 172 arepreferably fabricated from a strong material such as steel or the like.

The invention has been described herein in considerable detail in orderto comply with the patent statutes, and to provide those skilled in theart with the information needed to apply the novel principles and toconstruct and use embodiments of the invention as required. However, itis to be understood that the invention can be carried out byspecifically different devices and that various modifications can beaccomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.

1. A child safety seat for use in combination with a vehicular seat, said child safety seat comprising: a retractable harnessing means for securing said child safety seat to said vehicular seat, said retractable harnessing means having a safety strap retractably extending out from a strap housing, and being integrally mounted within said child safety seat and including an automatic locking means for responsively locking said safety strap in a fixed degree of extension from said housing upon incursion of a sudden force urging said safety strap out from said housing.
 2. A child safety seat as in claim 1 wherein a first end of said safety strap is specifically configured for mating engagement with LATCH receptacles.
 3. A child safety seat as in claim 1 that is specifically configured for removable mating engagement with a rotatable mounting apparatus comprising: (a) a base means having an upper surface, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides connecting said front and rear ends, said base means further including an elongated aperture extending therethrough from said upper surface to said lower surface, with said aperture having a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to said sides, and a lateral axis extending substantially parallel to said front and rear ends, with said longitudinal axis being longer than said lateral axis, said base means further including a first guide means disposed on said upper surface thereof, and a releasable lock means; and (b) an interface means that is removably and rotatably engageable with said base means, said interface means having a mating means extending from a lower surface thereof, said mating means being configured for operable, slidable, and rotatable engagement with said aperture to thereby removably secure said interface means to said base means, said interface means further including a second guide means on said lower surface thereof that is matingly engageable with said first guide means such that relative rotational motion between said interface means and said base means while said first and second guide means are operably engaged with one another, causes said interface means to progressively displace towards said front end of said base means, an upper surface of said interface means being specifically configured to operably and retainably receive said child safety seat thereto.
 4. A child safety seat apparatus for use in combination with a vehicular seat, said child safety seat apparatus comprising: (a) a child safety seat having a retractable harnessing means for securing said child safety seat to said vehicular seat, said retractable harnessing means having a safety strap retractably extending out from a strap housing and being integrally mounted within said child safety seat, said child safety seat including an automatic locking means for responsibly locking said safety strap in a fixed degree of extension from said housing upon incursion of a sudden force urging said safety strap out from said housing; and (b) a rotatable mounting apparatus that is specifically configured for removable mating engagement with said child safety seat, with the rotatable mounting apparatus including: (i) a base means having an upper surface, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides connecting said front and rear ends, said base means further including an elongated aperture extending therethrough from said upper surface to said lower surface, with said aperture having a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to said sides, and a lateral axis extending substantially parallel to said front and rear ends, with said longitudinal axis being longer than said lateral axis, said base means further including a first guide means disposed on said upper surface thereof, and a releasable lock means; and (ii) an interface means that is removably and rotatably engageable with said base means, said interface means having a mating means extending from a lower surface thereof, said mating means being configured for operable, slidable, and rotatable engagement with said aperture to thereby removably secure said interface means to said base means, said interface means further including a second guide means on said lower surface thereof that is matingly engageable with said first guide means such that relative rotational motion between said interface means and said base means while said first and second guide means are operably engaged with one another, causes said interface means to progressively displace towards said front end of said base means, an upper surface of said interface means being specifically configured to operably and retainably receive said child safety seat thereto. 